Refresh your room

A headboard takes up a chunk of wall space, so it's often what people see first when they enter a bedroom. Make sure it's focal point-worthy by using one of the following ideas.

The headboard pictured gets a shot of color when you drape fabric or an area rug over it. This one is tied on with clip-on drapery rings and fabric, but you don't have to do anything that permanent. Even better, you can change the look with the seasons— bright or gauzy fabrics in summer, nubby wools in winter.

Feminine touches

Stunning storage

Use old dresser drawers and storage cubes to create a one-of-a-kind headboard. Lay out your finds on the floor first until you've got the arrangement you want; it's okay to leave spaces where the wall shows through. Add wallpaper and paint to coordinate with your decor. Screw pieces together and hang on the wall using 1x4-inch cleats.

Cover it up

Door ways

Doors painted and hung on the wall (we used brackets) add fun style to this boys' room. Even a simple hollow core door would work. Depending on the size of the bed, hang the door vertically or horizontally.

Flower power

Squares of embroidery brighten an otherwise plain Jane of a headboard. The designer traced the pattern onto the wood, drilled holes for the stitches, then filled the design with yarn. You could also glue on completed fabric squares or just ink the design.

Crowning touch

Framed fabric

Create a framed headboard from a graphic print. Stretch fabric over heavy cardboard or foam-core board and secure on the back. Insert the panels into two inexpensive poster frames spray-painted a coordinating color. You could also use several picture frames with the glass removed.